Mesophylla macconnelli Thomas 1901

162. MacConnell’s Bat Mesophylla macconnelli French: Vampyresse soufrée / German: MacConnell-Fledermaus / Spanish: Murciélago de MacConnell Taxonomy. Mesophylla macconnelli Thomas, 1901, “Kanuku Mountains, about 59° W. and 3° N. ... 2000 feet [= 610 m],” Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Guyana. Mesophylla macconnelli was considered a species of Vampyressa, but recent morphological and molecular studies demonstrate distinctions between Mesophylla and Vampyressa. Monotypic. Distribution. Central America from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama to Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Ecuador, E Peru, and N Bolivia; also on Trinidad I. Descriptive notes. Head-body 45-49 mm (tailless), ear 9:-5-13-5 mm, hindfoot 8-12 mm, forearm 29-5-34 mm; weight 6-8 g. MacConnell’s Batis very delicate and among the smaller species in the family. Dorsal fur is thick, pale gray-brown or pale gray, getting darker toward back; hairs are tricolored, with pale brown bases, whitish middles, and pale brown tips. There is no white stripe along back. Ventralfur is evenly buffy gray. White facial stripes are indistinct or absent. Noseleaf is simple, bright yellow, medium-sized, and rough-edged,;if laid forward, there is a second tiny noseleaf. Ears and noseleaf are bright yellow, with brownish tinge on upper parts of ears. Wing membrane is “mummy brown.” Tragus is pointed, with lobes that project externally on to front. There is a supplementary lobe on antitragus. Forearm,fingers, and thumbs are yellowish pink. Plagiopatagium extends to distal part of metatarsal, attached to curved calcar. Tail membrane is pale brown and short. Dental formulais12/2, C1/1,P 2/2, M 2/3 (x2) = 30. Premolars are delicate and evenly spaced. Skull is relatively small and fragile. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 21/22 and FN = 18. MacConnell’s Bat has a XXXX,/ XX,Y system, with the Y-chromosome translocated to the autosomes. Habitat. Evergreen forests, rainforests (secondary), and commonly lowlands with numerous palms. MacConnell’s Bat has a clear affinity for tropical humid forests. Food and Feeding. MacConnell’s Bat is mainly frugivorous. In French Guiana, one of seven individuals had pollen in addition to fruits in its fecal samples. Breeding. Female MacConnell’s Bats with young use the same roost until young reach adulthood. Females often change roosts. Pregnant females have been captured in January—March andJuly-September, suggesting bimodal polyestry as in other stenodermatines. Activity patterns. MacConnell’s Bat is nocturnal and makes tents for roosting. In French Guiana, leaf tents were made of bifid terminal leaflets of palm (Astrocaryum, Arecaceae) fronds in well-drained primary forests. Tents have also been found in a species of Cyclanthaceae and apical type tents in Anthurium (Araceae) and Geonoma (Arecaceae). MacConnell’s Bats also roost in hollow trees. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Groups of MacConnell’s Bats have 3-8 individuals, including lactating females, young, and 1-2 adult males. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Arroyo-Cabrales (2008a), Gomes et al. (2016), Goodwin & Greenhall (1962), Hoofer & Baker (2006), Kunz & Pena (1992), LaVal & Rodriguez-Herrera (2002), Reid (2009), Rodriguez-Herrera et al. (2007), Simmons & Voss (1998), Starrett & Casebeer (1968).

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